The French adhere to a strong and homogeneous set of values. They
cherish their culture, history, language and cuisine, which is
considered an art. The French have been and are today world leaders
in fashion, food, wine, art and architecture. They embrace novelty,
new ideas and manners with enthusiasm as long as they are elegant.

Meeting and Greeting

At a business or social meeting, shake hands with everyone
present when arriving and leaving. A handshake may be quick with a
light grip.

Men may initiate handshakes with women.

When family and close friends greet one another, they often
kiss both cheeks.

Names and Titles

Use last names and appropriate titles until specifically
invited by your French host or colleagues to use their first
names. First names are used only for close friends and family.

Colleagues on the same level generally use first names in
private but always last names in public.

Address people as Monsieur, Madame or Mademoiselle without
adding the surname.

Madame is used for all adult women, married or single, over 18
years of age (except for waitresses, which are addressed as
Mademoiselle.)

Academic titles and degrees are very important. You are
expected to know them and use them properly.

Body Language

Do not sit with legs spread apart. Sit up straight with legs
crossed at knee or knees together. Feet should never placed on
tables or chairs.

Toothpicks, nail clippers, and combs are not used in public.

Keep your hands out of your pockets.

Do not yawn or scratch in public. Sneeze or blow your nose as
quietly as possible using a handkerchief or tissue. If possible,
leave the room.

Do not slap your open palm over a closed fist (this is
considered a vulgar gesture).

The "okay" sign, made with index finger and thumb, means
"zero."

The French use the "thumbs up" sign to say "okay."

Corporate Culture

Professionalism is highly valued in business and is the key to
acceptance of outsiders.

France enjoys a skilled, well-educated labor force. Hard work
is admired, but workaholism is not.

Be on time. The French appreciate punctuality.

Give business cards to the receptionist or secretary upon
arrival to an office and to each person you meet subsequently.
Print cards in English or French. Include academic degree and/or
title.

Many French speak and understand English, but prefer not to
use it. An interpreter will probably not be necessary, but check
ahead of time. Use French only for greetings, toasts and
occasional phrases unless your French is perfect.

Government plays a major role in business. Find a local
representative (banker, lawyer or agent) to help you through
regulatory obstacles.

Business people tend to be formal and conservative. Business
relationships are proper, orderly and professional.

Don't discuss personal life with business people. Personal
lives are kept separate from business relationships.

The French get down to business quickly, but make decisions
slowly after much deliberation.

Organizations are highly centralized with a powerful chief
executive. Bosses are often dictatorial and authoritative

French are leaders in the area of economic planning. Plans are
far-reaching and detailed.

Entering a room and seating is done by rank.

Meetings follow an established format with a detailed agenda.

The French dislike disagreeing and debating in a public forum,
but enjoy a controlled debate, whereby an informed rebuttal is
appreciated.

The purpose of meetings is to brief/coordinate and clarify
issues. State your intentions directly and openly.

Presentations should be well prepared, comprehensive, clear,
well-written, informative and presented in a formal, rational,
professional manner -- appealing always to the intellect.

The French dislike the hard sell approach.

Things actually get done through a network of personal
relationships and alliances.

Avoid planning business meetings during August or two weeks
before and after Christmas and Easter period

Do not call a French businessperson at home unless it is an
emergency.

Dining and Entertainment

Do not ask for a martini or scotch before dinner -- they are
viewed as palate numbing.

Before dinner, pernod, kir, champagne, vermouth may be
offered. Wine is always served with meals. After dinner, liqueurs
are served.

Business breakfasts are rare.

Senior managers socialize only with those of equivalent
status.

Business entertainment is done mostly in restaurants.

Lunch is still considered a private time. However, working
lunches and breakfasts are becoming more common in France.

The French do not like to discuss business during dinner.
Dinner is more of a social occasion and a time to enjoy good food,
wine and discussion.

Spouses are not included in business lunches, but may be
included in business dinners.

A female guest of honor is seated to the right of the host. A
male guest of honor is seated to the left of the hostess.

Never start eating until your host and hostess have begun.
Wait until toast has been proposed before you drink wine.

Keep your hands on the table at all times during a meal — not
in your lap. However, take care to keep your elbows off the table.

Fold your salad onto your fork by using your knife. Do not cut
your salad with a knife or fork.

Never cut bread. Break bread with your fingers.

There usually are no bread/butter plates. Put bread on the
table next to your dinner plate above your fork.

Cut cheese vertically. Do not cut off the point of cheese.

Almost all food is cut with a fork and a knife.

Never eat fruit whole. Fruit should be peeled and sliced
before eating.

When finished eating, place knife and fork side by side on the
plate at the 5:25 position.

Cross your knife and fork across your plate to signify that
you would like more food.

Do not smoke between courses.

Leave wine glass almost full if you don't care for more.

Taste everything offered.

Leaving food on your plate is impolite.

Do not ask for a tour of your host's home, it would be
considered impolite.

Send a thank-you note or telephone the next day to thank
hostess.

Dress

The French are the world leaders in fashion. Dress is
conservative and understated. Casual attire is inappropriate in
cities. Be clean and well-dressed at all times.

For business, men should wear conservative suits and ties;
women should wear conservative suits, pant suits and dresses.

Suit coats stay on in offices and restaurants.

Gifts

Small business gifts may be exchanged, but usually not at the
first meeting.

Never send a gift for a French colleague to his/her home.

Give a good quality gift or none at all. Give: recorded music,
art, books, office accessories.

Do not give gifts with your company logo stamped on them (the
French consider this garish).

When invited to someone's home, always bring a small gift for
the hostess. If possible, send flowers the morning of the party
(popular in Paris). Otherwise, present a gift to the hostess upon
arrival. A gift to the hostess will probably not be unwrapped
immediately (unless no other guests are present or expected).

Give candy, cookies, cakes and flowers. Do not give gifts of 6
or 12 (for lovers); gifts of odd numbers, especially 13;
chrysanthemums or red roses; or wine unless it is exceptional
quality.

A gift should be of high quality and wrapped beautifully.

Helpful Hints

Lower your voice a little and behave graciously and you will
enjoy a warm response from the French.

The French value their privacy. Don’t ask personal questions
related to occupation, salary, age, family or children unless you
have a well-established friendship.

Try to demonstrate some knowledge of history, politics and
French culture.

Compliments may be appreciated, but usually are received by
denial instead of "thank you."

Do not chew gum in public.

The French do not tell or like to hear jokes. They prefer
intelligent and satirical wit. Funny stories of real life
situations are appreciated.

Especially for Women

An increasing number of French women hold management positions
in retail, service, law, finance and human resources. Foreign
women are generally accepted in business, though they may be
flirted with on occasion.

Women are better accepted in management positions in the major
cities than the provinces.

Business women may invite a Frenchman to lunch or dinner and
will have no problem picking up the tab.

Adapted from material compiled by Window on
the World, a cross-cultural training and consulting firm. Originally
based on material contained in the "Put Your Best Foot Forward" series
of books by
Mary Murray Bosrock.